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Savory Summer BBQ Smash Burger Bar Recipe with Easy House Sauce and Pickled Jalapeños

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A quick and flavorful smash burger recipe perfect for summer gatherings, featuring a smoky house sauce and tangy pickled jalapeños. Set up a burger bar for a fun, customizable meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 pounds ground beef (80/20 blend)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon honey (optional)
  • 3 medium fresh jalapeños, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup white vinegar
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 garlic cloves, smashed
  • 6 potato burger buns
  • 6 cheddar cheese slices (optional)
  • Leafy lettuce, washed and dried
  • Thinly sliced red onions
  • Tomato slices
  • Pickles (optional)
  • Butter for toasting buns (optional)

Instructions

  1. Make the pickled jalapeños: Combine white vinegar, water, sugar, salt, and smashed garlic cloves in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring until sugar and salt dissolve. Pack thinly sliced jalapeños into a clean jar and pour hot brine over them. Let cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight.
  2. Prepare the house sauce: In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, smoked paprika, garlic powder, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and honey. Adjust seasoning if needed. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
  3. Form the burger balls: Divide ground beef into six equal portions (about 4 ounces each). Gently roll into loose balls without overworking the meat.
  4. Heat skillet or griddle over medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons vegetable oil. Wait until oil shimmers but does not smoke.
  5. Place 2-3 meat balls on the hot skillet without overcrowding. Smash each ball down firmly into a thin patty about 1/4 inch thick using a spatula or burger press. Cook without moving for 2-3 minutes until edges are crispy and brown.
  6. Season the exposed side with salt and pepper. Flip carefully and immediately add a slice of cheddar cheese if using. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until cheese melts and patties are cooked through.
  7. Toast the buns (optional): Butter buns lightly and toast face down on a separate pan or grill until golden and slightly crispy.
  8. Assemble the burger bar: Set out buns, cooked patties, house sauce, pickled jalapeños, lettuce, onions, tomatoes, and pickles. Let everyone build their own burgers.

Notes

Use high heat and do not overcrowd the pan to get a crispy crust. Smash firmly but gently. Season after smashing. Add cheese immediately after flipping. Do not press patties after flipping to keep juiciness. Cooking in batches helps maintain crust. Pickled jalapeños and house sauce can be made ahead. For gluten-free, use gluten-free buns or lettuce wraps. For dairy-free, skip cheese or use vegan cheese and substitute mayonnaise with avocado spread.

Nutrition

Keywords: smash burger, BBQ burger, summer burger, house sauce, pickled jalapeños, burger bar, backyard cookout, easy burger recipe

Find it online: https://lyrafeast.com/savory-summer-bbq-smash-burger-bar-recipe-with-easy-house-sauce-and-pickled-jalape-n-os/